Manny Ita
The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the permanent deployment of armed personnel to several high-profile private schools in the Ikeja GRA axis following a series of targeted security threats. The move, coordinated by Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh, follows a tense 48-hour period that saw prominent institutions including Grange School, Avi-Cenna International School, and the Anthony campus of Greensprings School temporarily shut down or dismiss students early.
The panic began on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, when the Human Resources Manager and Chief Security Officer of two affected schools reported receiving “distress WhatsApp messages” from an unidentified phone number. According to official statements from the Command, the messages contained explicit threats of an explosion or fire on the school premises. In response, many schools issued urgent letters to parents citing a “security-related concern” and suspended academic activities for Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure.
Upon receiving the reports, Commissioner Jimoh personally led a high-powered tactical team to the schools for an on-the-spot assessment. The team included experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Unit, and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). “A painstaking and comprehensive sweep of the entire school environment, including classrooms, administrative offices, halls, playgrounds, and surrounding premises, was conducted to rule out the presence of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” the Command stated.
While the police have officially declared the school premises safe, noting that no explosive or hazardous materials were found, the investigation has shifted toward a manhunt for the sender of the messages. The Commissioner has directed that the probe be intensified to “trace, identify, and apprehend the sender(s) of the threat message with a view to bringing them to justice in accordance with the law.”
To reassure the public and maintain order, combined teams of police personnel have now been stationed at the affected schools on a permanent basis. The police spokesperson, Superintendent Abimbola Adebisi, emphasized that the Command remains “proactive, responsive, and fully committed to maintaining peace” across the state, while urging residents and school administrators to remain vigilant and report any suspicious social media messages or physical activities immediately.
